improvisation

"Iris," composed by my all-time hero, Wayne Shorter, is an utterly beautiful piece of music. It might not be called as often as the many "standards" composed by Mr. Shorter, but it perfectly exemplifies his ingenious way of writing singable, relatable, natural-sounding melodies over dark...

Happy Juneteenth, SOTW! Here's one of my favorite ballads, written by one of my all-time musical heroes, Herbie Hancock. The original version of "Alone and I" is great, of course, from Herbie's debut solo album, but Mark Turner's take on "Ballad Session" is a really influential recording for me...

Happy Saturday, SOTW, and happy birthday (a day late) to Chick Corea! Undoubtedly one of the most brilliant minds of American music, and "Litha" is one of my favorite tunes of his. Several years ago I wrote a large ensemble arrangement of this tune for Ian O'Beirne's "Slowburn" big band in...

Hello all, Just dropping a line here that I've started making some youtube tutorial type videos featuring improv ideas and a wide range of subjects. Just getting started, hope some of it is useful. I'm working on Book Two of my Bach Shapes series, which will be released in sections in eBook...

Because so many people are stuck at home right now. Why not use the time to kick your improvisation skills into the next level :) The full course here

Just a quick compilation video that I put together. I guess there really isn't a straight path to learning how to improvise...

Can anyone recommend a good teacher for bebop improvisation in the Bay Area (preferably East Bay)? Doesn't have to be a saxophonist. I take sax lessons and have intermediate technique but want to get deeper into swing feel, bebop phrasing, sharper sense of time, structuring solos melodically...

Hello Saxers: I'm taking the leap from playing as a sectional player in the Big Band to becoming a participating soloist, I want to run with the big dogs now, and have been playing in the classical style for years, no liberties, mostly on bari sax. How do you get out of your analytical head...

What are some of your favorite fast/up-tempo solos, or solos with a lot of double-time in them?

Hey all! Hope you're all doing well. There is an issue that I hear with A LOT of young improvisers and felt like I should make a video about it. I think that if students are taught better from an early age, they can avoid a lot of mistakes and bad habits. This issue is the concept of Horizontal...

Hi everyone! Here is the NEW video lesson. Natural Minor in Jazz. English subtitles available!!

Dear Tenor Lovers, yesterday I published my latest transcription work on YouTube. June 6, 1945: Don Byas (ts) & Slam Stewart (b) [email protected] Hall, NY. Enjoy! 8-)

Hi guys, just wanted to share the new app bundle with four of the best tools to practice jazz improv: Tonal Harmony • Ear Training • Scales, Modes & Melodic Patterns • Sight-Reading I hope you find it useful. https://mdecks.com Thanks.

Hey everyone! I was wondering if anyone out there has been working on any of the A. Sandole methods? I've been shedding Craft of Jazz - Journeyman for a few months now with a bass player friend of mine, but would love to connect with some sax players who have used it or are using it. I'm also...

Here's a quick question: How do I be creative when I'm improvising? I tend to repeat the same lines over and over and I'm not really making new lines in the moment. What should I do if I want my lines to be more creative? I tend to lose my creativity when I'm in a couple bars into my solo. Any...

Hello everyone! I'm not an active contributor. I'm more of a peruser; however, I would like some support from a pro. I would classify my playing level from beginner to intermediate. I am reading up on Bebop playing style. Seems as though there is a lot of quoting from other songs as a...

Hi everyone, I just wanted to share a new article, out today, that I wrote for the Best Sax Site Ever, this time continuing to discuss using Bach's melodic material as a technical and musical workout for the horn. I used the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor for all of my source material here, I...

Hello, If you're reading this, maybe you could help! I'm getting really bored with my playing, especially over a blues. I feel like I often play the same ideas over and over again, each chorus I take, and I was wondering if there was a better way of approaching a blues. I attached a small video...

I would like to announce that my new book for saxophone, Bach Shapes, will be out in May and is available for pre-order now at www.bachshapes.com. Please do check out the web site and read about the project if you can. I have spent the last few years compiling intervallic shapes from Bach's solo...

Hi all, I've played alto for about 10 years now, but until recently I was quite focused on grades which meant my practice routine was just playing the pieces I had to to pass exams. I have since passed grade eight and have kind of fallen back in love with the sax (playing in a few bands helped)...